Work Out Buddies

Part of my weight loss plan includes (gasp!) EXERCISE! Blech.

Weight Watching Through Halloween

Thankfully, I am not a big candy eater. I used to eat chocolate faithfully. It took me an embarassingly long time to realize that the chocolate was giving me headaches, so I don't eat much of it anymore. Ice cream continues to be my biggest weakness. Any time, any where, there is NEVER a bad time for ice cream!

Regardless, Halloween can be a tough time for people watching their weight. Candy is all around, increasing the chances for temptation.

Here are a few tips, courtesy of Readers Digest, I use to avoid candy and avoid a potentially bumpy start to the holiday season.

1. Buy candy the day before or day of Halloween. 

Buying candy early may get you a better deal price wise, but you'll be paying for it in a more difficult way. It's harder to stay away from it if it in your face at work and home. Better to only have it around for the least amount of time.

2. Buy only the candy you DON'T like.

If you only have candy that you don't like, chances are you won't eat it. And you can buy less, because you won't be the neighborhood favorite. They'll avoid your house when you're handing out black licorice and raisins. You're welcome.

3. Follow a normal eating routine.

Don't skip meals to plan for eating candy later. Keep on track and eat your normal, sensible meals. You're more likely to binge when you don't do this. Candy is low in fiber and protein, so you'll be more apt to eat more to fill up. This only leads to regret.

4. Chew gum instead of candy.

If you feel you really want that candy, try chewing a piece of gum first. This can help both on the urge for something sweet and the chewing motion can fool your mind into thinking you're eating. 

5. Don't buy candy!

Avoid trick or treaters altogether. Don't stay home. Go out for dinner, go to a movie. If you just can't give up seeing the young ghouls, goblins and witches, buy stickers or temporary tattoos to hand out. 

6. Keep candy out of sight. 

If you do give in to temptation, know what you're eating. Shape.com has a list of 9 popular halloween treats (in snack size) that are 150 calories. 

Choose wisely!

If you 'fall off the wagon', please don't despair! Tomorrow is another day. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on that darned wagon.  Chances are you didn't do as much damage as you've built it up in your head. Resolve to do better and don't beat yourself up. 

Happy Halloween!!!

Sriracha My Heart

If you know me, you knew this post was eventually going to happen.

Mexican Chicken Soup for the Soul

Sriracha

With the turn in the weather, it's time to make some yummy soups. Going to class in the evening makes the crockpot my kitchen tool of choice right now.

Milestones

This weekend was kind of a big weekend for me.

Inspiration

In my quest to complete culinary school weighing less than I started, I search for blogs that inspire, inform and entertain me. Most blogs only fulfill two of the three criteria. Being entertaining is by far the most difficult challenge bloggers face.

One blogger who fills my entertainment desires is Dinner is Served. She makes me giggle, inspires me and makes me thankful for 2014.

Weight Watcher: Nightmares Past

Weight Watchers has been a big part of my life for almost a year now. I love the flexibility of the program and the ability to pretty much eat whatever tickles my fancy, or at least a low fat version of it. I blissfully lived my life believing this was how it always was. Boy, was I wrong. Very, very wrong.

My Top 10 New Favorite Foods

Being on Weight Watchers means that I had to change up my eating habits. I'd done the program over 10 years ago, but the food I'd enjoyed then, doesn't seem to satisfy me me the way it did then. Time to hunt out some new things to groove on. This time, I'm enjoying these:

Failure is an option. Right?

One Tough Week.

Missing the mark. Repeatedly.

This has been a rough week. With the change in weather, I've been more tempted to curl up on the couch and not do my walking or gym. It seems like I am always hungry and my normal go-to snacks are not cutting the mustard.

To Start A Journey, You Must Take the First Step

Before, not so long ago.

Changing my mind.

I have been heavy, big-boned, full-size, plump--whatever you want to call it--most of my life. I could give you 101 excuses why this is, but that's exactly what they are. Excuses. I've even lost weight before. It was very hard and I swore I'd never put the weight back on. But, I did. And now, it's even more of a challenge to get it off. But, I am up for the challenge.